Dems keep the gloves on during their first televised forum

The Democratic candidates for governor who participated in a televised forum on Monday were strikingly gentle in their treatment of one another. Rather than use the first joint media event of the primary, now just five weeks away, to draw direct contrasts with one another, they instead focused their must cutting remarks on the man the party's nominee will face in November, Gov. Lawrence J. Hogan (R), and, in a few instances, on President Trump. (Md. Matters)

Ervin threatens to sue state to get on primary ballot

Gubernatorial hopeful Valerie L. Ervin, fresh off her participation in the first televised forum of the Democratic primary Monday, served notice that she is prepared to sue the state to get her name onto the June 26 ballot. And she challenged, in direct terms, the legitimacy of the only other female candidate in the race, about whom residency questions have long simmered. (Md. Matters)

Maryland Republican Party releases video mocking Democratic field for governor ahead of first TV debate

Hours before the Democratic candidates for governor were set to square off in their first televised debate, the Maryland Republican Party released an online video mocking the entire field. Called “Uninspired,” the video depicts the Democratic candidates for governor — a crowded field that includes Ivy League grads, accomplished lawyers, veteran lawmakers and a Rhodes Scholar — as boring bumblers. (Balt. Sun)

Immigrant legal aid group withdraws request for Montgomery County funding

A Washington, D.C., nonprofit set to receive about $374,000 in Montgomery County funds to provide deportation defense to detained immigrants has withdrawn its request for the money in response to an updated list of criminal convictions that would bar certain immigrants from receiving legal aid. Montgomery County State's Attorney John McCarthy had requested that the County Council update its list of criminal convictions that would exclude immigrants from receiving legal representation to include convictions of fraud, distribution of heroin, second- and third-degree burglary and obstruction of justice—among other crimes. (Bethesda)

The Harford County Education Association (HCEA) proudly announced their endorsement of Councilman Joe Woods for re-election as Council member for District B. Councilman Woods is the consummate community leader. The challenges that he has faced throughout his life have informed his adroit leadership and sensitivity to the diverse needs of his community. (Dagger)

May 21 // Leventhal unveils superhero-themed county executive ad

Democratic Montgomery County executive candidate George Leventhal is showing his lighter—and stronger—side in a new superhero-themed digital ad that has him flying like Superman, landing like Iron Man and standing up to the “Orange One”—President Donald Trump. The 90-second “Avenger: MoCo” ad—a play on the Marvel Comics movie franchise—has already generated significant publicity for Leventhal since he released it Wednesday. (Bethesda)

Valerie Ervin is running for governor — but it's not clear how Marylanders can actually vote for her

Valerie Ervin is officially a Democratic candidate for governor — but how voters will actually cast a ballot for her remains unclear. Ervin’s name will not appear on ballot papers as a candidate for governor, the state elections administrator confirmed in a court filing Friday, and with only three and a half weeks left before early voting begins in the Democratic primary, officials say they’re still figuring out how people will vote for her. Linda Lamone, the state’s top elections official, filed an affidavit Friday in a case unrelated to Ervin’s candidacy, saying she had consulted with her staff and local elections directors in making her decision. (Balt. Sun)

Frustrated congressional Democrats accused the Trump administration Friday of politicizing the 2020 Census after a Justice Department official declined to answer questions on how the administration came to include a question asking people their citizenship status. Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, said he had wanted more information about the administration’s rationale for the question. At a hearing Friday, committee Democrats said the question would have a chilling effect on responses from immigrant communities and others suspicious of government. (Balt. Sun)